The Norumbega

I spent an unforgettable week at The Norumbega Inn. Phil isn’t just a consistently terrific and creative chef, but he also has a terrific sense of humor too. Sue isn’t just a helpful, thoughtful, and warm host, but she’s also fun and full of joy.
The food is special– I’ve never had so many memorable breakfasts in a row (and the dinner’s terrific, too!).
The Inn is comfortable and cozy– hard to beat a fireplace, bathtub (in a castle turret!), and free shortbread cookies.
And the castle itself is unique and epic with a stunning view.
There’s no Maine experience quite like it!

What more could you ask for? Beautiful accommodations, scenery, great food, and excellent service. My wife and I have turned this into an every year getaway and it never disappoints. The owners, Sue and Phillip, are great, and always go the extra mile to ensure that everyone’s stay is the best experience it can be. The Inn is beautiful and although very authentic and historic, it has many upgrades you would love to have in your own home. Our bathroom even had heated floors! If you want to experience the perfect Maine getaway, in class and style, you need to stay here.

PERFECT experience during our stay at The Norumbega. I booked the Library Suite for my husband’s birthday and we had an excellent time. First, the room was gorgeous. Exactly as pictured and beautifully charming. We loved going up to the second floor and exploring all of the books. The uniqueness of the room is what brought us to The Norumbega and it did not disappoint.
Second, Sue, the owner, was outstandingly friendly and welcoming. What a gracious and lovely host!
Third, the grounds are gorgeous and the interior of the inn is exceptional. Check out my pictures!
Lastly, the breakfast was out of this world. Something I would have paid good money for at any high end restaurant. Very impressive and quite delicious!
Our stay was pricey but I felt it was a good value. The Norumbega is leaps and bounds ahead of any other B&B I’ve been to in terms of uniqueness and individuality. Nothing about this place is cookie cutter. Great value with wonderful memories to boot. Can’t get any better than this!

Beautiful inn, gorgeous grounds. Sue is so accommodating and personable. We went last October and this past weekend. We love the Norumbega. Breakfast is AMAZING. I highly recommend you sign up for the 7 course chef tasting. The food is out of this world. Chef Crispo is extremely talented. We LOVE the Norumbega!

This bed and breakfast transports travelers to another time. It is located outside of the hustle and bustle of town, but is still close enough to walk to town. Sue was helpful and accommodating as I placed reservations, and was even more so once we arrived. The breakfast had such wonderful flavor, I immediately regretted not having dinner at the Inn the night before. There was some ambient street noise, but Sue had warned me about that prior to the reservation. It did not seem to disrupt anyone’s sleep. We were with a small group, and everyone looks forward to returning again.

I was in need of peace and comfort. I found it at Norumbega Inn. It is a beautiful castle with stunning views. There were so many places unique places for me to sit and relax… The terrace, the front parlor, the solarium, and, of course my beautifully appointed room.
Breakfast and dinner (I do recommend you make dinner reservations) were fantastic. After being told about my dietary restrictions, the Chef more than accommodated!
This is my third time to The Norumbega. It certainly won’t be my last.

The Norumbega castle is so cool. Lots of nooks and crannies, great design, and an opulence that begets a time past. If you tuck away in room for a bit and close your eyes it’s fun to imagine you’re at one of Gatsby’s parties.
I brought my new wife and her family to the castle in July and we got the downstairs all to ourselves! We were able to play Trivial Pursuit and drink while until midnight or 1am each night. So much fun and epic games we’ll always remember. The rooms themselves are each unique and stylish. Ours felt like a room from Paris. Very chic. The rooms also open up onto the grand lawn where you can run around or stroll the property or just sit in a chair and enjoy a book and the fresh air with the smell of the sea.
Sue and her sister were super sweet and fun. Funny and cool, too. Great energy. Helped ensure we all felt very comfortable in the fancy castle setting.

Absolutely loved our stay. My husband kidnapped me for a surprise anniversary weekend. When I first saw The Norumbega I was so impressed. It so happened they were having a party for Halloween and they had the castle all decked out with decorations, appetizers, music and wine. We immensely enjoyed the party, a little too much in fact on my part. The staff and our host Sue took amazing care of us, seeing to special requests always asking if we needed anything. And, oh my God, the food!!! I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The view from our room was a breathtaking view of the bay. The bed was quite comfortable, although it is a little dated I considered it part of the charm… you are staying in turn of the century castle after all. It was very comfortable there, plenty of nooks to hang out in with a blazing fire burning. I would strongly recommend a stay at The Norumbega to anyone wanting a little time away or for a special occasion.

We came in early October. The leaves are changing, it’s cool, but not cold. I am in love with this place. It’s quaint and beautiful, America. The landscape is rustic and romantic, and although I am sensitive to being the only chocolate drop for miles, folks are friendly. Sue and I would be besties if she lived in LA. She’s approachable, accommodating, and welcoming. I only met Phil for a hot second, but if he’s responsible for the awesome breakfasts I’ve had then he’s welcome to be my future ex-​husband. Everything is delicious.
This mini castle itself is a gem! I would love to experience it during the holiday season, as I love a lit fire place and I think it would look amazing by any of the fire sides it offers. Every room is different and there’s a penthouse that’s fantastic. Views and sea air. The grounds are beautiful, the staff is super friendly, and Rocko the chihuahua may make an appearance that makes you feel right at home.
Thank you Norumbega for a beautiful trip, I can’t wait to come back!

We had a wonderful experience here. The historic home is a gem of the area and the owners, Phil and Sue are fun. They have undertaken a labor of love for generations to come by restoring Norumbega beyond it’s original splendor. With a balance of renovations that honor the architectural history and acknowledge the need for modern convenience they are bringing this home to a new level.
The food! Breakfast was the kind of treat you get when you experience a great chef and great atmosphere. It was perfect! I only wish we’d planned on being there for dinner. You need to let them know by 10AM the morning of if you’d like to have dinner that evening.
Awesome! We recommend Norumbega!

My wife and I stayed at the Norumbega last fall for our 3^rd anniversary. It’s almost exactly halfway between Portland and Bar Harbor. We were looking for a unique bed and breakfast, and found out about this place via word of mouth. It’s absolutely beautiful. It really does feel like an old castle. It’s definitely a one-​of-​a-​kind place!
I don’t have anything bad to say about it. The view of the ocean from the third floor balcony was beautiful. The owners, Sue and Phil, were extremely accomodating, and very pleasant people. And the food! Oh my, the food! I’ve never had a better breakfast in my life. A 3-​course meal, prepared by a 5-​star chef. Phil is an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America… the most prestigious cooking school in the country. And I just discovered he won Food Network’s Chopped (one of our favorite TV shows)! What a treat!
I only wish we were able to tour the grounds a little more. It rained too much to be able to do it. We will definitely be back to the Norumbega next time we’re in Maine!

Don’t pay attention to previous reviews. Norumbega has new owners and they are great. Sue goes out of her way to make sure all your needs are taken care of and Phil is a fantastic chef. Breakfast was great and Phil will even cook dinner for an extra expense. This isn’t a new hotel so don’t expect it to be. It is an 1800s home and has all of the fun quirks that go with it. No cookie cutter rooms, but great views from the decks. Highly recommend if you are staying in Camden.

My boyfriend and I stayed in one of the basic rooms in the Norumbega over 4^th of July weekend and fell in love with the place. I would have loved to stay in the Library Suite but it was a little too pricey for us — even in a cheap room it was about $ 330 for a 2-​night stay.
The outside could do with a coat or two of paint, but otherwise the building is in very nice shape and from what I could tell, all the rooms have a great view.
I was disappointed when we checked in that the room we got was not the room we booked, nor was there AC in the room as advertised on their website. Luckily it wasn’t hot enough and the tiny little desk fan in the room was enough.
The place was super quiet and it was fun to explore the open rooms while there. They always leave sodas and fresh chocolate chip cookies (that are baked daily) out. Plus, you are given a key to get in the front door when you check in so I liked the added security that those without a key had to ring the bell rather than just an open building anyone could walk in to.
Breakfast was to die for! Our first morning we got whole wheat french toast with fresh blueberries and bacon that was cooked perfectly. I honestly am still thinking about it almost a week later… and I have told everyone about it too. Our second morning we had scrambled eggs with sour cream and dill (not my thing, but still very good).
I would definitely stay here again — the inn is just under a mile out of town so you could leave your car and walk down in to the center of Camden if you so chose (though the walk home is all uphill). So location wise it’s close enough to everything, but also far enough away that it’s quiet at night.

I remember first going there as a child and wandering among the landscape. It’s the Norumbega Inn, a historic architectural landmark that sits atop a rise overlooking Penobscot Bay in the beautiful coastal town of Camden, Maine. Although the penthouse is fabulous, the best room in the house is the library room, an enchanting two-​room suite housed in the original castle library. Wake up amongst history and mystery. A true Maine masterpiece.

This B&B is a castle overlooking the bay in scenic Camden, and is a fully magical spot. It’s a one of a kind experience that is sadly very overpriced, and has lousy food. The castle is still worth it however– the rooms are amazing, and the view great. We stayed in the library suite ($ 400 off season), which is unique, spacious, and well appointed with modern amenities and antique furniture. Great bed! The hostess (niece of the owners, who themselves live in California), was pleasant and helpful. Breakfast was bad though– very sparse and not tasty. We were served a tiny, poorly made cheese soufflé, two strips of bacon, and two slices of mini-​toast. They didn’t have any more food available. Quite a letdown at $ 400/​night– we left hungry and disappointed. Overall– worth it to experience the really nice castle (not open to visitors, you have to rent a room to get in), but I would only stay one night, and plan on getting breakfast in town. A night in a castle was worth $ 400 to us, but may not be to you.